Eubanks details hospitalization that scrapped 'TUF 26' finale title shot
Sijara Eubanks' first-ever hospitalization couldn't have come at a less opportune time.
Medical issues related to her weight cut scrapped Eubanks' spot in the UFC's first women's flyweight title bout this past Friday in Las Vegas, allowing Roxanne Modafferi to fight Nicco Montano for the strap in her stead. Eubanks joined Monday's "The MMA Hour" to reveal what led to the hospitalization.
After successfully cutting down to the divisional limit on several occasions during her stay in "The Ultimate Fighter 26" house, the 32-year-old said her cut for last Friday's show had gone better than expected - until the Wednesday evening prior.
Once she'd gotten her weight down to 130.5 pounds - 5.5 away from her target - Eubanks began experiencing back pain and cramps, and had grown delirious before passing out. That prompted her coaches to consult with UFC physician Dr. Jeffrey Davidson. The returns on her vitals were as alarming as her symptoms, and paramedics were called.
"My heart rate was super high and it would plummet when I sat down, then when I stood up, my heart rate would shoot back up again," Eubanks said. "If I was laying down, my blood pressure was good, but as soon as I sat up or stood up, my blood pressure would drop."
Despite the effects of the weight cut, Eubanks didn't give up on making 125 pounds until she was brought to the ER, even refusing an IV in the ambulance out of fear it would push her further away from her weight target. The fighter thought she could somehow finagle a 130-pound catchweight bout with Montano to remain on Friday's card, only to be diagnosed with acute kidney failure once she'd reached the hospital. It didn't take much longer for the hard truth to sink in.
"I kinda was like, 'Can I sit like this?' And (the medical staff) was like, 'If you sit, as dehydrated as you are, it's gonna get worse,' and she just started talking creatine levels and I just broke down," Eubanks said.
"I knew once they bagged me up (with fluids), it was a wrap."
Eubanks spent her first-ever hospital stay rehydrating and was healthy enough to take in Friday's action cageside, which she felt was "the right thing to do," since several of her teammates were competing on a bill she pulled out of at the 11th hour.
The costly health scare hasn't prompted a change in division for Eubanks, who maintains her successful weight cuts during her "TUF" stint spoiled her. The Massachusetts native says she can make the divisional limit far more easily with a few alterations to her regimen.
As for her next dance, it remains to be seen whether she'll get the shot at the title she'd earned by besting Maia Stevenson, DeAnna Bennett and Modafferi during the "TUF" season.